Monday, 07 June 2010 06:02

Sutter Creek Could Appoint New Attorney Today

slide3-sutter_creek_could_appoint_new_attorney_today.pngAmador County – The Sutter Creek City Council today may consider hiring a new city attorney and could also seek proposals for a new financial auditor. The council meets a 7 p.m. today and could wrap up the hiring of a new attorney, after Dennis Crabb recently announced his retirement. Crabb has assisted the city council on finding a replacement firm. The council recently interviewed candidates. The council will hold a 6 p.m. closed session meeting today to appoint a new city attorney; and also to negotiate with the Police Officers Association and the city employees’ Service Employees International Union. The consent calendar includes approval of a contract with WTR Science Group for evaluation of the city sewer plant and preparation of a manual. The consent calendar also includes letters to state representatives, stating the city council’s opposition to a state “raid” of the cities’ Transient Occupancy Tax. The letters from Mayor Gary Wooten are to Senator Dave Cox and Assemblywoman Alyson Huber. The letters request the politicians’ “strong opposition to any legislation that would undermine the ability of our city to fully collect local transient occupancy tax from online sales.” The letter, copied to the governor’s office and Dan Carrigg of the League of California Cities, says that online travel companies are trying to “gut and amend” Senate Bill 625, so that it “would undercut TOT collection.” The council will also discuss and possibly act on requesting proposals for a financial auditor for the 2009-2010 fiscal year. The board recently received the 2008-2009 audit report from long-time City Auditor Ralph Murcello, who recommended changing auditors because cities want to avoid over-familiarity by auditors. Also on the agenda today is an update on city budget and financial control issues. The finance audit committee came up with a list of “tasks related to financial control issues,” to address 25 issues raised by Murcello in the audit. All tasks will be completed this year, including some that took effect June 1st. Several address “sick leave” policy, including creating a “Sick Leave Audit Committee,” made up of Interim City Manager Sean Rabe and Councilwoman Linda Rianda. It will meet twice a month, and report monthly to the Personnel and Budget Committee. Rabe also has been identified as the city grants coordinator, “responsible for tracking all city grants.” He will also ensure that “city policy mandates are reviewed by city council” for “grant proposals prior to formal city approval.” Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.